Date: 10/10/2017

Number: 18

I had a monarch rich summer at my way station 04511, on West Island in Fairhaven, MA (41.592589, -70.834713) which was unusually active for the first time in many years. Then in early to mid-September, with asters and goldenrods blooming in profusion, the winds have been blowing strong southwest to northeast off and on for weeks, and monarch movement seemed to be halted. A few monarchs moved through from time to time but not what I had been expecting based on the summer’s activity.

Then on a lovely Sunday, October 1, the monarchs and painted ladies filled the New England asters (Symphotrichum novae-angliae) in my way station 8 max. at a time (monarchs) 24 (painted ladies) on the New England asters and I thought that might be it for major movement for the season. I felt lucky and glad that the asters and goldenrods were still in bloom for these last monarchs of the season.

But yesterday, October 10, brought a glorious day full of a new flood of freshly colored monarchs, gliding down the road and over the causeway, and filling my yard throughout the day -18 max. at one time - on the small white asters (S. ericoides and pilosum mostly) which are the only native nectar plants fully in bloom right now. A stunning and beautiful day with the air full of monarchs everywhere. There is still a little seaside goldenrod, late blue aster (S. patens), and small white asters in bloom for nectaring, but plants are going by quickly now.

Winds are forecast to be favorable for the next few days - blowing out of the north and northeast. It is a cooler day today but I hope that with yesterday’s nectaring the monarchs can still make it down the coast to warmer temperatures.

Courtesy of Monarch Watch

Fairhaven, MA

Latitude: 41.6 Longitude: -70.8

Observed by: Louise
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